Council Notes
Regular Council Meeting Monday, December 12, 2016
Monday, December 12 Town Council Meeting started off by Councillor, Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk sworn in as Deputy Mayor for the months of January and February, 2017.
•••
Mayor Terry Yemen stated that due to the Christmas holidays there would be no Council meeting for December 26, 2016.
•••
Mayor Yemen read a letter received which asked if there was anyone in the community that would be considered a nominee for the Alberta Order of Excellence Award. Mayor Yemen explained that anyone can nominate a person who is considered to be someone who stands out within the Drumheller area for giving back to the community, by going to the Lieutenant Governor’s webpage.
•••
Council proceeded to complete the first reading of the bylaw to establish utility rates. Council reviewed average monthly charges for each of the 4 groups, based on meter sizes. When reviewing these numbers Council found a deficit in group 2 and group 3. Council discussed ways to compensate for this deficit. Since the province is recommending all municipalities make up for the shortfalls, council discussed increasing the rate and meter charge for water and wastewater by 5 percent. Concerns about the economic position most of Alberta is in and the upcoming carbon tax were brought forward from some of the council members. The motion to increase rates by 5 percent was defeated through a tie vote from Council. Councillor Sharel Shoff made a motion to raise the rate of water by 3 percent and waste water by 1.5 percent. A motion was passed to look into second and third readings for the amendment to this bylaw.
•••
Council completed the second and third readings of the Bylaw for borrowing monies to cover town operating expenses.
Motion carried.
•••
Authorization and verification for 2017 expenditures that was not included in the budget was then completed for Council to approve CAO or his delegate to pay all these expenditures.
•••
The first reading of the bylaw amendment for a prepayment incentive of property taxes was held. This incentive currently includes a discount of 3.5 percent for those paid before the end of January and 3 percent discount for those paid by the end of February. The amendment is to reduce these discounts to 1.25 percent if paid before the end of January and 1 percent if paid by the end of February. All three readings were passed.
•••
Council switched to in camera matters.
